Ryan Lucas

he/him

5.0

(7)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

About Ryan Lucas

I started playing RPGs back before anyone called them TTRPGs—we just said pen and paper RPGs. I cut my teeth running TMNT & Other Strangeness for friends in junior high. Later, I dabbled a bit in D&D 3/3.5, though we didn’t play much. I grew up reading the Drizzt novels from the Forgotten Realms without even realizing they were tied to D&D. Fast Forward to after I graduated from University and I felt like my creativity had been drained from me, and I remembered the creativeness of Role Playing and thought that would be a fun way to stretch those muscles again. This was right as 5e D&D was coming out, and I was HOOKED. I rode the 5e wave from the start, but certain aspects of the rules always nagged at me. Nothing major, just little frustrations. After experimenting with house rules and supplements, I eventually branched out into other systems—and that’s when my world really opened up. Now I’m comfortable running more than a dozen different games. That broad experience lets me adjudicate situations with confidence and ease. I feel equally at home with narrative-focused systems like Genesys/SWRPG and Daggerheart, as well as with crunchy, tactical games like Pathfinder 2e and Draw Steel. I also love old-school inspired systems like Shadowdark and Dragonbane. What I love most are games that deliver fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action—where heroes face tough challenges and get to pull off cool, memorable moments and victories feel earned.

At a glance

2 years on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Creativity, Storytelling

Featured Prompts

My 3 systems I'd bring to a desert island would be

Dragonbane Daggerheart Shadowdark (heavily homebrewed)

How Ryan Lucas runs games

I’m a GM who loves a well-crafted narrative. To me, roleplaying isn’t just talking in character—it’s about players making meaningful choices and the world responding to them. The heart of the game is choice, and that’s where the real fun lies. If I had to rank the three pillars, my priority leans Exploration > Combat > Social. That said, the margins are small—the best sessions include all three, and some naturally highlight one more than the others. I take my cues from the table to see where players are most engaged and lean into that. Pacing is critical. Nobody wants a session that drags—we want high-flying excitement, daring adventures, ominous foes, and memorable victories. The best nights end with everyone buzzing, still talking about the coolest moments. At my table, rules matter, but only in service of the game. If a rule gets in the way, I’ll bend or break it to keep the fun flowing. I’m a fan of my players and want to see them shine. I’ll set up challenges I want you to knock out of the park, but I’ll also push back hard when it counts. Heroes are only as great as the trials they overcome, and the moments when you’re backed against the wall and have to dig deep are the ones that turn into unforgettable stories.

Ryan Lucas's ideal table

My table is all about fast-paced, cinematic adventure where heroes face real challenges and get to do cool, memorable things. I emphasize strong pacing—sessions are designed to keep players engaged with daring action, tense moments, and big payoffs. I value a balance of the three pillars (Exploration, Combat, and Social), though exploration and action tend to take the lead. The vibe at my table is collaborative and supportive. I’m a fan of my players, and I want to see you succeed and shine, but I’ll also put your characters under pressure so victories feel hard-won and satisfying. Rules are important, but only as long as they serve the fun—if something gets in the way, I’ll bend it to keep the energy flowing. Players who fit well at my table are those who enjoy making meaningful choices, working as a team, and leaning into both roleplay and action. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new, if you like edge-of-your-seat adventure with a healthy dose of creativity and collaboration, you’ll feel right at home here.

Featured Prompts

If you're into ___, you're going to love my table

If you think true heroes are forged by the challenges they face, and roleplay means shaping the story through choices rather than just funny voices (but those are fun too!), my table is for you.

I love it when a player

I love when players lean into the fiction, taking a die roll and framing it in the game world—what does this roll represent—like, why did you get a 13 initiative, or what does hitting with a 14 vs an 18 look like? Those details make the story richer and the moments more memorable.

I think min/maxing...

Optimizing is fine—it’s natural to want your character to excel. But I agree with Sid Meier’s insight that “players will try to optimize the fun out of their game.” The best moments often come from creativity, risk-taking, and overcoming challenges, not perfect builds.